RBI Double Notches No. 56, But Wittels Must Wait
His season ended before he could swing for no. 57 and 58, but Wittels can pick up his streak next year
AP
Florida International baseball player Garrett Wittels poses for photos while sitting in the dugout on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, in Miami. The FIU infielder wasn't even supposed to be a starter this season, and now his 38-game hitting streak is the longest in Division I since 1999. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)
Florida International sophomore Garret Wittels is the very definition of clutch. Down 10-1 in yesterday's regional loss against Texas A&M, the infielder hit a double to center to bring his amazing hitting streak to an astounding 55 games.
In today's 15-9 consolation loss against Dartmouth in the Coral Gables regional tournament, he got an RBI double out of the way in the first inning to reach no. 56.
Fortunately for Wittels, the end of FIU's season won't destroy his chance at tying or besting the NCAA Division 1 record of 58 games with a hit -- he'll be able to pick his streak right back up next season on FIU's opening day.
In fact, the Division III record of 60 was actually accomplished over a period of three years by Damian Costantino.
But no matter what happens next season, Wittels has cemented his streak as one of the greatest single accomplishments in Miami sports history. Even "just" a 50-game streak is pretty darn rare: in all of recorded baseball history, only one major leaguer and four minor leaguers have accomplished it. Joe Dimaggio did in the both the show (56 in 1941) and the minors (1933), and he's joined by just three others, total.
Robin Ventura, the current Division 1 record-holder, has enjoyed his standing since 1987, and former second-place Phil Stevenson, whom Wittels surpassed a couple weeks ago, accomplished his feat in 1980.
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